Oh, what a night

Now that we’ve all been able to take a deep breath after the Nuggets-Lakers game, let’s take a look at a few things we probably missed, while bedazzled by A.I.

– Iverson, of course, scored 51 points in the 111-107 Denver loss, but he also had a game-high eight assists.

– His 51 was the most-ever scored by a Nuggets player at Pepsi Center. Carmelo Anthony had the previous record with 45 in 2005.

– Marcus Camby had 20 rebounds.

– Marcus Camby had 20 more rebounds than points.

– Don’t be fooled by Andrew Bynum’s line of two points and two rebounds in 25 minutes. The Lakers center was really ill, battling the flu. Numerous NBA folks, including Denver coach George Karl, thinks he can become a dominant center in this league. Bynum is only 20, and he entered Wednesday averaging a double-double.

– Nuggets guard J.R. Smith was 1-for-10 from the field, and he missed all five 3-point attempts. He missed all four 3-point attempts in the previous game against Miami.

Frustrating game… I’m still trying to understand why AI only took one shot in the first 8 minutes of the fourth quarter. With JR in the game, it sort of forces your hottest shooter to play point guard rather than shooting guard. Why not put Carter in for JR and try to go with the hot hand? If AI drives the lane he’s going to draw fouls, but he kept passing to JR, who couldn’t hit Mt. Evans if he were standing on it. Also, if Diawara is being groomed as a defensive specialist a la Bruce Bowen, why did he not play in a game where the opposing team put up 111?

I think this loss falls entirely on George Karl, for systematically taking the ball out of the hands of his hottest player and getting it to a selfish, me-first shooter with a cold hand when the game was on the line.

Frustrating game… I’m still trying to understand why AI only took one shot in the first 8 minutes of the fourth quarter. With JR in the game, it sort of forces your hottest shooter to play point guard rather than shooting guard. Why not put Carter in for JR and try to go with the hot hand? If AI drives the lane he’s going to draw fouls, but he kept passing to JR, who couldn’t hit Mt. Evans if he were standing on it. Also, if Diawara is being groomed as a defensive specialist a la Bruce Bowen, why did he not play in a game where the opposing team put up 111?

I think this loss falls entirely on George Karl, for systematically taking the ball out of the hands of his hottest player and getting it to a selfish, me-first shooter with a cold hand when the game was on the line.

Zero defense. It will be the same old Nuggets once again until they decide they want to step up and play a high quality of basketball. It was an embarrassment watching ‘Melo stand there as Kobe drove right to the basket with under a minute to play. They have no intensity and they will be an early exit once again in the playoffs.

The question is: Has Karl lost this team? Do they respond to him at all anymore? I don’t think so. He’s a good coach, but they are not playing hard for him.

Zero defense. It will be the same old Nuggets once again until they decide they want to step up and play a high quality of basketball. It was an embarrassment watching ‘Melo stand there as Kobe drove right to the basket with under a minute to play. They have no intensity and they will be an early exit once again in the playoffs.

The question is: Has Karl lost this team? Do they respond to him at all anymore? I don’t think so. He’s a good coach, but they are not playing hard for him.

I think that we are missing something about the Denver Nuggets. Sometimes George Karl don’t know how to rotate the players, and he continue to make some silly mistakes. Look what happen last night against the lakers; he took the ball out of Iverson hands by sending J R out on the court, so Iverson had to play point while JR at the shooting guard position.

The person that I am sorry for is Iverson. I don’t think that he will ever win a championship with the Nuggets. I am not even quite sure if they are going to the play off, because if they cant beat the Lakers what will they do when they meet the best teams in the west. They still need to play some defence; last night was terrible.

I can imagine Iverson having the same feeling like when he was with the 76ERS. I am talkig about putting up 50 points and still turn out to loose the game.

I think that we are missing something about the Denver Nuggets. Sometimes George Karl don’t know how to rotate the players, and he continue to make some silly mistakes. Look what happen last night against the lakers; he took the ball out of Iverson hands by sending J R out on the court, so Iverson had to play point while JR at the shooting guard position.

The person that I am sorry for is Iverson. I don’t think that he will ever win a championship with the Nuggets. I am not even quite sure if they are going to the play off, because if they cant beat the Lakers what will they do when they meet the best teams in the west. They still need to play some defence; last night was terrible.

I can imagine Iverson having the same feeling like when he was with the 76ERS. I am talkig about putting up 50 points and still turn out to loose the game.

Yes, it is Iverson’s, Anthony’s, Camby’s, Jr’s,Karl’s,and Kenyon’s fault. Everyone must commit to playing defense or you will continue to LOSE. Shame on you all. And shame on you sports writers for making Iverson think his performance was special. Play some “D” AI, then possibly, you can be mentioned with the greats like Jordan, Pippen, and Duncan. And likely, you’ll be on a championship team. Until then, the entire Nuggets organization should be ashamed of themselves. Never, ever mention a 60 game winning season, and not play consistent “D”. I agree with the comment above: They are currently a JOKE. And yes, I am a native of Denver(40 years) and HUGE fan of Nuggets basketball.

Yes, it is Iverson’s, Anthony’s, Camby’s, Jr’s,Karl’s,and Kenyon’s fault. Everyone must commit to playing defense or you will continue to LOSE. Shame on you all. And shame on you sports writers for making Iverson think his performance was special. Play some “D” AI, then possibly, you can be mentioned with the greats like Jordan, Pippen, and Duncan. And likely, you’ll be on a championship team. Until then, the entire Nuggets organization should be ashamed of themselves. Never, ever mention a 60 game winning season, and not play consistent “D”. I agree with the comment above: They are currently a JOKE. And yes, I am a native of Denver(40 years) and HUGE fan of Nuggets basketball.

Thats was a great game by the Nuggets and it was a real-life learning experience. Defence wins Championships Baby. I am not at all worried the season is still very young and we’ll still win 60 plus games. Forget about what A.I. did which was absolutely aswome. The Nuggets still don’t have a fully healthy team and the biggest factor which I never hear anything about from any of you nug fans is the SEASON just basically started. Post your cryiin post at the end of the season if you want too take that approach yo. Check this out I’ve lived in Colorado my whole life been a Nuggets fan my whole life and I proud to be a Nuggets fan. Proud to where my huggets hat in summit county colorado because not too long ago it was cooler to where a broncos hat or ELWAY jersey. GO NUGGETS!

Thats was a great game by the Nuggets and it was a real-life learning experience. Defence wins Championships Baby. I am not at all worried the season is still very young and we’ll still win 60 plus games. Forget about what A.I. did which was absolutely aswome. The Nuggets still don’t have a fully healthy team and the biggest factor which I never hear anything about from any of you nug fans is the SEASON just basically started. Post your cryiin post at the end of the season if you want too take that approach yo. Check this out I’ve lived in Colorado my whole life been a Nuggets fan my whole life and I proud to be a Nuggets fan. Proud to where my huggets hat in summit county colorado because not too long ago it was cooler to where a broncos hat or ELWAY jersey. GO NUGGETS!

I just want to say that some of you people in DENVER are doing a great job at critisizing IVERSON and making him look bad. Without him, this team would be struggling to be .500. And by him being there he brings a bigger spotlight to Denver it would not have had had he not come there in the first place. Iverson is one of the biggest names in ALL of SPORTS. You people have the chance to watch one of the greatest talents the NBA has ever seen play basketball everynight and all you ever do is critisize. The man went out to try to blow the LAKERS out the othernight and COACH KARL puts him at the 1 in the 4th quarter and has him pass the ball. How stupid is that? The MEDIA rips Iverson for it. Yet for some reason you people tend to forget that Carmelo was nowhere to be found in the 4th. Why don’t you people try blaming someone else on that team besides Iverson for once?! I live in CALIFORNIA and when they were talking about possible destinations Iverson might have landed in the trade, people up here were salivating at the chance that SACRAMENTO or GOLDEN STATE might get A.I. You people don’t deserve him.

To the person that asked IVERSON to play D’. Why don’t you ask CARMELO the same thing? I sat back and watched MELO let KOBE fly past him and make a basket at a crucial time in the fourth quarter the othernight. Iverson is 6′ tall! What exactly do you people expect him to do? Stealing the ball is part of his defence. Carmelo is too big to not step up and play some D’, I mean take a CHARGE do something! Iverson if you’re reading this (which I doubt), if this team doesn’t go anywhere…opt-out you’re contract next year. Go to another team where you can play YOU’RE game and not have to sacrifice as much as you have to in DENVER (and not get appreciated). After watching you the other night against the LAKERS, I was reminded how much you have sacrificed to be on this team. You need to be in a basket ball town (except PHILLY, LOL), you are too big of a STAR to be in a place like DENVER. If you are going to get ripped apart by the press every 5 minutes atleast make it worth your wild. BOSTON is looking pretty nice right now :)

Oh and IVERSON will be in the HALL OF FAME and will be mentioned with the GREATS (because he is ONE) wether YOU like it or NOT.

I just want to say that some of you people in DENVER are doing a great job at critisizing IVERSON and making him look bad. Without him, this team would be struggling to be .500. And by him being there he brings a bigger spotlight to Denver it would not have had had he not come there in the first place. Iverson is one of the biggest names in ALL of SPORTS. You people have the chance to watch one of the greatest talents the NBA has ever seen play basketball everynight and all you ever do is critisize. The man went out to try to blow the LAKERS out the othernight and COACH KARL puts him at the 1 in the 4th quarter and has him pass the ball. How stupid is that? The MEDIA rips Iverson for it. Yet for some reason you people tend to forget that Carmelo was nowhere to be found in the 4th. Why don’t you people try blaming someone else on that team besides Iverson for once?! I live in CALIFORNIA and when they were talking about possible destinations Iverson might have landed in the trade, people up here were salivating at the chance that SACRAMENTO or GOLDEN STATE might get A.I. You people don’t deserve him.

To the person that asked IVERSON to play D’. Why don’t you ask CARMELO the same thing? I sat back and watched MELO let KOBE fly past him and make a basket at a crucial time in the fourth quarter the othernight. Iverson is 6′ tall! What exactly do you people expect him to do? Stealing the ball is part of his defence. Carmelo is too big to not step up and play some D’, I mean take a CHARGE do something! Iverson if you’re reading this (which I doubt), if this team doesn’t go anywhere…opt-out you’re contract next year. Go to another team where you can play YOU’RE game and not have to sacrifice as much as you have to in DENVER (and not get appreciated). After watching you the other night against the LAKERS, I was reminded how much you have sacrificed to be on this team. You need to be in a basket ball town (except PHILLY, LOL), you are too big of a STAR to be in a place like DENVER. If you are going to get ripped apart by the press every 5 minutes atleast make it worth your wild. BOSTON is looking pretty nice right now :)

Oh and IVERSON will be in the HALL OF FAME and will be mentioned with the GREATS (because he is ONE) wether YOU like it or NOT.

yes the lakers rule and califoneia iss totally asweme dude i might not be able to spell but atleast I know in colorado we love are sports Teams no nead comming back and postin cuz the Raiders still suck and so does every other cali teams yo the rockies are made it to the world series, elway, patty roy, bourque, forsberg, sakic, cutler, bailey, hetlon, walker, holliday, francis, melo, camby, martin, nene, a.i., icould go on and on colorado is great cali well is cali dude surf up atleats we got snowboardin-sking.skating. im out5k

yes the lakers rule and califoneia iss totally asweme dude i might not be able to spell but atleast I know in colorado we love are sports Teams no nead comming back and postin cuz the Raiders still suck and so does every other cali teams yo the rockies are made it to the world series, elway, patty roy, bourque, forsberg, sakic, cutler, bailey, hetlon, walker, holliday, francis, melo, camby, martin, nene, a.i., icould go on and on colorado is great cali well is cali dude surf up atleats we got snowboardin-sking.skating. im out5k

AI is a dream come true. Melo will come out of it. Camby is a shot blocking fiend. K-Mart is back. NeNe is in shape and will be back soon. Chuckie is a threat from outside and will be back soon. JR has amazing upside and potential. Kleiza is coming on. Nahara is steady and tough. My goodness… the future is soo bright we should all be wearing shades!

AI is a dream come true. Melo will come out of it. Camby is a shot blocking fiend. K-Mart is back. NeNe is in shape and will be back soon. Chuckie is a threat from outside and will be back soon. JR has amazing upside and potential. Kleiza is coming on. Nahara is steady and tough. My goodness… the future is soo bright we should all be wearing shades!

I was a Sixers fan because of Allen Iverson. Because of him I became interested in basketball and the Sixers and went to many games. I am now a Nuggets fan and only wish I could watch him in person the way I did when he was in Philadelphia.
He goes on the floor every night and gives 1110% of himself for the team. In my mind he is one of the greatest players and for his size he exceeds all others. The Nuggets are so fortunate to have him and really should appreciate him.

I was a Sixers fan because of Allen Iverson. Because of him I became interested in basketball and the Sixers and went to many games. I am now a Nuggets fan and only wish I could watch him in person the way I did when he was in Philadelphia.
He goes on the floor every night and gives 1110% of himself for the team. In my mind he is one of the greatest players and for his size he exceeds all others. The Nuggets are so fortunate to have him and really should appreciate him.

Chris Dempsey arrived at The Denver Post in Dec. 2003 after seven years at the Boulder Daily Camera, where he primarily covered the University of Colorado football and men's basketball teams. A University of Colorado-Boulder alumnus, Dempsey covers the Nuggets and also chips in on college sports.